Alpine to Davis Mountains State Park
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Plains grasslands of the desert and piñon, juniper, and oak of the mountains coexist within this park, along with fauna from both habitats. Well-traveled trails cover several different terrains. Other facilities include an amphitheater, a picnic area, a campground, Skyline Drive, and the Limpia Canyon bird-banding station. In the summer, rangers present nightly programs. If you can plan far enough ahead, make reservations for a stay at the always-popular Indian Lodge, built in the style of Southwestern pueblos.
Park is open during daylight hours for hiking and 24 hours for camping. Minimum tour time: 1 day. Admission: $3, children under 12 free; bus rate $3 per person for day trip, $2 per person for camping. Admission free for lodge guests. Party facilities at Indian Lodge. Indian Lodge accessible to the mobility-impaired.
Fort Davis
Unlike the rest of Texas in August, folks in this mile-high town don't even need air-conditioning. Sitting between mountain peaks that reach 8,200 feet, Fort Davis counts among its temptations a world-famous observatory, where star parties are weekly pleasures, as well as a magnificently restored frontier military fort, a delightful dude ranch, and a charming vintage hotel. Fort Davis has more than 200 accommodations of all types.
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute
The Institute's visitor center is about 4 miles south of Fort Davis, on TX Hwy. 118. Exploring the mysteries of the Chihuahuan Desert, which covers parts of the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, western Texas, and southern New Mexico, is the mission here. The institute documents the desert's flora and fauna; at the Fort Davis site are 540 acres of arboretum and desert garden with more than 500 species of plants.
Fort Davis National Historic Site
In 1854 the newly built fort, surrounded by 600 square miles of wilderness, was the only refuge from hostile Indians. From after the Civil War until 1891 it was reactivated as the base for the Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment made up mostly of former slaves. The Fort Davis National Historic Site consists of the ruins and restored buildings of the frontier military post, with restored barracks housing a museum and visitors center. On the Saturday closest to the Fourth of July and Columbus Day weekend, life on the frontier is reenacted here. Located on the north edge of town, at the junction of state highways 17 and 118.
McDonald Observatory
From McDonald Observatory, at the peak of 6,791-foot Mount Locke, stargazers can easily see forever. The observatory, a "user-friendly" University of Texas research facility, has eight telescopes, ranging in size from 18 inches to 107 inches. The visitors center hosts star parties on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and once a month (Wednesday before the full moon) the public can peer through the 107-inch telescope (make your reservations about six months in advance for this popular event). Daily viewings of the sun are at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.